Sift flour, baking powder, add salt, set aside

Whisk together egg and vanilla extract, set aside

In a mixing bowl cream together butter and sugar. It should be light and fluffy. Add vanilla egg mixture, beating anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute until well mixed in.

Gradually  add flour in 2 additions. Lower the speed of your mixer to low. Scrape the bowl well after the last addition and beat just until flour is combined.

Knead the cookie dough for about 30 to 60 seconds, until dough comes together.

Wrap the dough in a plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 375F

Divide cookie dough in half. Roll half of the cookie dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper using rolling guides on each side of the dough. I use 2 painter sticks on the side.

Cut out as many cookies as you can. Place the cookies lined with parchment paper. Chill the cut outs in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

Bake for 9minutes, depending on the oven, turn the sheet once half way through the baking.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5-7 minutes, transfer to cooling rack.

Decorate cookies as desired with royal icing or frosting you prefer.